Anyone! Team members do not need to have any product development experience to apply. We think your fresh perspective is valuable. What we’re looking for are passionate people who are up for a challenge, excited to put themselves out there to solve a problem and make improvements to existing products, eager to learn, collaborate, and willing to be flexible. Have you ever thought “If only there was a…” or “This is what would make this better…” YOU are Make48 material.

Create a new one! Each competition has a product theme and this is what you look into to create your brand new prototype. Take a look at past competition themes on our competition webpages!

You need not worry! Make48 Tool-Techs and industry experts will be on hand in our fabrication labs throughout the weekend to educate and guide you, as well as provide hands-on help to create a physical representation of your product idea.

When you make a video, you will discover how easy it really is to do! This will come in handy during the last stage of the competition when you make a short promo video for your new product idea. We usually have Tool Techs who can help you with the editing of the video.

The Challenge Sponsor. Any innovation (and ensuing intellectual property) you come up with, the competition's Challenge Sponsor has the first right of refusal to it. Once accepted as a finalist, you’ll receive a team packet with documentation detailing these specifics. If they choose not to take on the IP for your product, it will fall back to the team that created it.

We recommend bringing a laptop, because during the initial stage of the competition, your team will use the Internet to study the marketplace.

We are looking for product ideas that are highly marketable. Highly marketable ideas have a point of difference. Please note that you don’t have to reinvent the wheel — just have an idea that is unique enough. Highly marketable ideas appeal to larger markets and are able to be manufactured. The winning team will also have met the challenge presented at the beginning of the weekend.

Our judging criteria includes:

• Product Originality

• Problem Solution

• Target Audience

• Competition

• Marketability

• Manufacturing Ease

• Expandable/Options

• Packaging

• Potential Selling Price/Margins

• Product Demonstration

For our most of our competitions, we recommend you staying at your own home as the location is in your city. If you are further out from the competition, we can discuss options for your accomodation. For the Nationals Competition, we will assist teams with options varying in cost and proximity to the event location. Although this is a 48 hour competition, weekend lodging for your team, near the event, is highly recommended as you may not stay at the makerspace overnight.

No, the host makerspace will have the tools needed for the competition.

On-site residence is not allowed at any of our host locations. The makerspace will close overnight and that will be communicated in your team documents upon acceptance to the competition.

Schools are encouraged to continue the program beyond the grant year through district funding, Perkins funds, or local sponsorships. Make48 prioritizes schools that express interest in sustaining the program long term.